Heart Of Darkness Imperialism Analysis
In the late 18th and early 20th century, European nations with vast wealth and power saw opportunities in increasing their sphere of influence by exploiting weaker or smaller nations of Africa for their resources. In Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, the political principle of imperialism is depicted by Conrad to show the mechanisms and attitudes of the world along with his views. Imperialism is the ideology that drives the Europeans in the “Heart of Darkness” towards the Congo for its ivory. In the Congo, the only things worth paying attention towards are those that provide monetary benefits, and this can be seen when Conrad states “Some, I heard, got drowned in the surf; but whether they did or not, nobody seemed particularly to care.
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They were just flung out there, and on we went ” (78). In order to reach imperialistic goals, the lives of men are degraded to the point where no one cares if they are living or dead. These attitudes resemble the attitudes imperialistic Europe has as a whole because the only thing worth value is wealth not the well being of people. With these images, Conrad is putting forth a message to the reader that there are people that can conduct such savage actions for wealth and power. Along with the disregard for human life, imperialism is centered around exploiting the natural resources of a particular region for one’s own benefits. In “ Heart of Darkness”, natural resources are being extracted from the Congo and Marlow describes this by saying, “ to tear treasure out of the bowels of the land was their desire, with no more moral purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars breaking into a safe ” (101). This quote directly clashes with societies attempts to harness nature. Along with this idea, Conrad is showcasing how the destruction of nature and crimes such as murder were needed to allow people to have their jewels or other goods. Conrade illustrates the process that occurs for these goods and puts forth this idea that “everything these people have someone had to pay for”. The technique with which Conrad doe sthis is by creating a “window” for the reader to see what is truly taking place in the world and leaves it to the reader if it is either good or bad to allow these events to take place and use these products. Furthermore, Conrad uses techniques to allow the reader to witness these cruel actions for monetary benefits from a neutral standpoint without have his views affect that of the reader. In addition, Conrad implicates more references to the political principle of imperialism and how people react to the effects of it.
For instance, when the pilot is struck by a spear from the natives and Marlow is about to remove it, Conrad states that “ he looked at me anxiously, gripping the spear like something precious, with an air of being afraid I would try to take it away from him. I had to make an effort to free my eyes from his gaze…” (122). This piece from the text is metaphor to Africa and how people do not want see or know what they are doing to Africa. Marlow has seen the first-hand effects of imperialism in the Congo but does not come out and show his dissatisfaction but goes along with the violence and cruelty surrounding him station to station. Conrad is showing how people know that others are being slaughtered along with destruction of nature but pretend to turn away from these facts by “ closing their eyes” like Marlow. The reasoning for this is that people know that the reason this is occurring is because of their materialistic needs but they attempt to the hide from the truth. Conrad uses this technique of metaphors to allow the reader to judge right from wrong by giving an understanding and view of what imperialism does. Moreover, Conrad sums the entire purpose of imperialism into a phrase. Conrade practically defines imperialism by stating that it is the “ the vilest scramble for loot that ever disfigured the history of human conscience and
geographical exploration." Conrad states that the political principle of imperialism is centered around money. Throughout “ Heart of Darkness”, every European in the Congo is trying to extract as much ivory as possible and this “scramble” has led to murder and control over the natives. Conrad depicts this as a crazed want for wealth and this technique of making imperialism resemble a race or competition makes the reader understand why it disregards morals and lives. Conrad depicts imperialism and gives the reader a viewpoint of “window” to see the results of imperialism and decide whether it is right or wrong. This is unique because Conrad does not have his opinions or views dictate the text but tells it as it is.However, this wish to modify views can be seen as a failure because the events illustrated in the “Heart of Darkness” can still be seen in third world countries today. The exploitation of resources and workers is still occurring and the products of these actions are being sold and bought without any sense of care among the people.
They were just flung out there, and on we went ” (78). In order to reach imperialistic goals, the lives of men are degraded to the point where no one cares if they are living or dead. These attitudes resemble the attitudes imperialistic Europe has as a whole because the only thing worth value is wealth not the well being of people. With these images, Conrad is putting forth a message to the reader that there are people that can conduct such savage actions for wealth and power. Along with the disregard for human life, imperialism is centered around exploiting the natural resources of a particular region for one’s own benefits. In “ Heart of Darkness”, natural resources are being extracted from the Congo and Marlow describes this by saying, “ to tear treasure out of the bowels of the land was their desire, with no more moral purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars breaking into a safe ” (101). This quote directly clashes with societies attempts to harness nature. Along with this idea, Conrad is showcasing how the destruction of nature and crimes such as murder were needed to allow people to have their jewels or other goods. Conrade illustrates the process that occurs for these goods and puts forth this idea that “everything these people have someone had to pay for”. The technique with which Conrad doe sthis is by creating a “window” for the reader to see what is truly taking place in the world and leaves it to the reader if it is either good or bad to allow these events to take place and use these products. Furthermore, Conrad uses techniques to allow the reader to witness these cruel actions for monetary benefits from a neutral standpoint without have his views affect that of the reader. In addition, Conrad implicates more references to the political principle of imperialism and how people react to the effects of it.
For instance, when the pilot is struck by a spear from the natives and Marlow is about to remove it, Conrad states that “ he looked at me anxiously, gripping the spear like something precious, with an air of being afraid I would try to take it away from him. I had to make an effort to free my eyes from his gaze…” (122). This piece from the text is metaphor to Africa and how people do not want see or know what they are doing to Africa. Marlow has seen the first-hand effects of imperialism in the Congo but does not come out and show his dissatisfaction but goes along with the violence and cruelty surrounding him station to station. Conrad is showing how people know that others are being slaughtered along with destruction of nature but pretend to turn away from these facts by “ closing their eyes” like Marlow. The reasoning for this is that people know that the reason this is occurring is because of their materialistic needs but they attempt to the hide from the truth. Conrad uses this technique of metaphors to allow the reader to judge right from wrong by giving an understanding and view of what imperialism does. Moreover, Conrad sums the entire purpose of imperialism into a phrase. Conrade practically defines imperialism by stating that it is the “ the vilest scramble for loot that ever disfigured the history of human conscience and
geographical exploration." Conrad states that the political principle of imperialism is centered around money. Throughout “ Heart of Darkness”, every European in the Congo is trying to extract as much ivory as possible and this “scramble” has led to murder and control over the natives. Conrad depicts this as a crazed want for wealth and this technique of making imperialism resemble a race or competition makes the reader understand why it disregards morals and lives. Conrad depicts imperialism and gives the reader a viewpoint of “window” to see the results of imperialism and decide whether it is right or wrong. This is unique because Conrad does not have his opinions or views dictate the text but tells it as it is.However, this wish to modify views can be seen as a failure because the events illustrated in the “Heart of Darkness” can still be seen in third world countries today. The exploitation of resources and workers is still occurring and the products of these actions are being sold and bought without any sense of care among the people.